This fall, the MSVU Board of Governors has welcomed several new members while others have assumed new leadership roles.
Patricia Towler began her two-year term as Chair of the MSVU Board of Governors recently. Patricia is President and CEO of Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia. She has served on the MSVU Board of Governors since 2022, assuming the role of Vice-Chair in 2023. Claudette Porter replaces Patricia as Vice-Chair. Claudette is Vice-President of Technology Investment and Governance at Emera.
Additional new members include:
- Conor Barker, Faculty representative
- Sara Zegarra, Student representative
- Heather Strickey, Alumni representative
MSVU is governed using a bi-cameral governance structure consisting of the Board of Governors and the Senate (responsible for academic affairs). The MSVU Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the University, including governance and oversight of the University generally, its property, revenues, expenditures, business and affairs.
About Board Chair Patricia (Patti) Towler
Patti is an experienced executive and lawyer who has served as President and CEO of CPA Nova Scotia since 2015. In that role, she leads an organization of more than 4,000 professional accountants in the province and is regarded as a leader in the field of professional regulation. Previously, she practiced law at Stewart McKelvey and Norton Rose Fulbright, and was Vice President and General Counsel at Regent College (Vancouver). Patti is also a director of the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator and the Atlantic School of Business, and has served on numerous other boards in the past. She is committed to MSVU’s values of academic innovation and inclusion, and has a deep appreciation for its history and unique place in higher education.
About Board Vice-Chair Claudette Porter
An MSVU alumna with a degree in Business Administration (Accounting), Claudette is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants and senior leader in the energy sector. Claudette has held leadership roles with Emera group of companies for over 15 years, including her current role of Vice-President of Technology Investment and Governance, and Vice-President of Finance for Emera prior to that. Claudette was also previously President and COO of subsidiary Emera Utility Services and Vice-President of Finance at Nova Scotia Power. Claudette has volunteered on numerous boards with a focus on providing affordable and safe youth sports.
Full list: MSVU Board of Governors 2025-2026
Chair
Patricia Towler, President and CEO, Chartered Professional Accountants Nova Scotia
Vice Chair
Claudette Porter, Vice-President of Technology Investment and Governance, Emera
President
Dr. Joël Dickinson
Vice-President Academic and Provost
Dr. Lori Francis
Vice-President Administration
Isabelle Nault
Governors appointed by the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity
- S. Nuala Kenny
- S. Sheilagh Martin
- Rosemarie Sampson
- S. Margaret Mary Fitzpatrick
Governors appointed by the Governor in Council
- Cherise Hart
- Jean Flynn
Governors selected by and from the alumni
- Craig Ennis
- Penny Henneberry
- Heather Strickey
Governors selected by and from the faculty
Governors selected by and from the students
- Sara Zegarra
- Devora Goldberg
- Nola Sam
Governors selected by the board from the community at large
- Tyrone Cotie
- Michelle Clare
- Amanda Dean
- Danielle Desjardins
- Derrick Dempster
- Ifeanyi Emesih
- Karen Hudson
- Paul MacIsaac
- Joseph (Joe) Nahas
- Thomas (Tom) Nicolle
- Mona Power
- Glenn Squires
- Hon. Diana Whalen